Williams older versus Newer Bachmann Williams

All i have to offer is some of the older units lack reverse boards, some have motors without flywheels and some (most depending on age) lack sound.  They are however solid performers.

They seem to be the same in quality. My only complaint is yes, Bachmann made big upgrades but lost the Williams concept of offering the consumer a good product at a reasonable price.

Thanks

I have both old and new Williams on my layout.  I never have hesitated when purchasing ( new ) old stock Williams product ... they are ALL solid performers.  I have both True Blast 1 & 2 sound and prefer TB 2 ... albeit Williams TB sound is no rival to Lionel or MTH sound.  

My Williams brass Camelback has bronze gears, made by Samhongsa (sp? ) in Korea and runs terrific!  It has no sound and of course smoke is anemic at best ... but that's Williams ... poor smokers across the board.  I knew that before I purchase this Camelback brand new.  

As for Williams by Bachman I have the scale 44 tonner which looks great &  runs great!  The prime mover sound is okay IMHO but again it does not rival Lionel or MTH ... and I never expected it to do so.  The WbB  retail price point is high but these locos ( and other WbB products )  can be purchases new from dealers such as Train World ( OGR Forum Sponsor ) at blowout prices.  

My experience with WbB is that I've had several  brand new locos DOA. I don't think their quality control is what it should be.  This is only my opinion based only on  my experience.  The retailers have always made good and paid the postage for the engines to be shipped back to them for exchange ( not all dealers do this ).  

Also keep in mind that WbB probably has the best warranty of any model train manufacturer/importer.  

Thank you for the detailed response

Have older Williams the price was great, have some diesels and a GG-1 that all run great, Agree with Trumptrain bought a southern berk that is not all that great on grades, lack of smoke but does pull on level trackage, Does look nice.  

The old blowout prices for Williams made them great deals, I bought a couple of scale size GG1 engines at York a few years back for $120/ea.  I upgraded them to TMCC and they're great performers.  Current Bachmann Williams products are overpriced.  Unless you find them at substantially discounted prices from the MSRP, and I'm talking 45-50%, they're overpriced IMO.

Thanks for your input. I will stick to the older Williams…..

Not so fast, Bigboyrich. Be flexible. There are some Williams by Bachmann models that the company has done very well.

I have the 4-6-0, which is a smooth runner and generally impressive. The paint scheme is excellent. And I paid less than $200 for it.

Others have been very satisfied with the new scale 44-tonner, which in my opinion is a lot nicer than the elongated 44-tonner that Williams reproduced from the Lionel version.

My biggest complaint is that Bachmann has retired much of the locomotive tooling from the Williams line. I love the Train Master and Sharknoses I have from those pre-Bachmann days.

So I suggest you pick and choose and don’t be an absolutist or you’ll exclude some nice models.

Thank you. I will look for those. If you happen across one give me a shout. I am in Nebraska, open your door and yell.

Rich

@Jim R. posted:

Not so fast, Bigboyrich. Be flexible. There are some Williams by Bachmann models that the company has done very well.

I have the 4-6-0, which is a smooth runner and generally impressive. The paint scheme is excellent. And I paid less than $200 for it.

So I suggest you pick and choose and don’t be an absolutist or you’ll exclude some nice models.

The Wms 4-6-0 is the best-geared loco that Wms has ever made, even including the old well-geared brass from the 80's and 90's - all the more surprising as it came along after all those poor-running, zoom-zoom die cast Lionel-clone steamers were offered. My 4-6-0 was modified with ERR command control and runs so well at slow speeds that I installed the plain DC Commander rather than the Cruise Commander.

But - the engine deserves better rods/valve gear - it looks like a cheapie set loco in that area.